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Date Spot

TRAVEL

Travel: Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, Connecticut

Rose in Elizabeth Park by yourFAVORITEmartian Flickr

Vibrantly green with the oldest municipally operated rose garden in the country, Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, Connecticut is a fragrant oasis tucked between Boston and New York.  One of twenty-two public All America Test Gardens in the country, Elizabeth Park is home to more than 800 varieties of roses and evaluates new types of the gorgeous flower before they are available to the public.

Elizabeth Park, West Hartford by Jessica Gioglio

Offering free parking and admission, pay no attention to the clock as you enjoy a leisurely stroll in the garden.  Be sure to pack a camera and make frequent stops to pose for photos among the colorful blooms and well-manicured shrubbery.  Don’t be surprised if you see a wedding taking place, as the garden’s romantic rose-covered arches and artfully landscaped pathways make this a prime wedding venue.

After working up an appetite, visit the Pond House Café, which is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner on Sunday for brunch.  With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a great spot to relax.  Menu items range from wraps, salads and burgers for lunch, to chicken, salmon and pork tenderloin for dinner and brunch classics like omelets, crepes and french toast on Sundays.  Though the cafe does not serve alcohol, patrons are welcome to bring their own beer or wine for a nominal corking fee – $5 for wine or $1.50 for beer.

For more information about Elizabeth Park, please visit www.elizabethpark.org and www.pondhousecafe.com for The Pond House Café.

BOSTON, RESTAURANTS

The South End Buttery: The Little Cafe That Could (and Does!)

South End Buttery by Don’t Wake Me, I Plan On Sleeping from Flickr

Casually cool with amazing sandwiches and pastries, the South End Buttery is exactly the kind of place you want to live within walking distance of.  Tucked into a quaint area of the South End filled with posh brownstone walk-ups and hip furniture stores, this neighborhood gem is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily, allowing ample opportunity to satisfy cravings on a whim.

Upon entry to the restaurant, step into the bustling cafe space with cheerful yellow walls and a display case filled with pastries worth salivating over.  Though there are two quieter rooms, I prefer sitting in the main room, which gets fantastic natural light and presents a constant stream of Bostonians for people watching.  On a nice day, try and snag a seat on the tiny outdoor patio, which is pet-friendly.

While I’ve never been for dinner, I have tried – and loved – their plain croissant, pecan sticky bun and seven layer bar.  Their iced coffee is lovely, but fair warning – the large size is huge!  The sandwiches are truly the star of the show here, especially the Curried Chicken Salad, which is worth every deliciously messy bite.

Though the South End Buttery has many high points, I wish that they also made their salads to order instead of having them available at the takeaway counter.  I’m guessing that this is only a lunchtime issue, but after seeing the delicious made to order sandwiches arrive at our table, I would have swooned over a more innovative salad menu.

The South End Buttery is located at 314 Shawmut Avenue at the corner of Union Park in the South End.  For more information, please visit their website: www.southendbuttery.com

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS

Outdoor Drinking and Dining: Five Delightful Boston Patios

True Bostonians know that summer in the city means enjoying the outdoors as much as possible.  With so many fantastic street level patios, it’s easy to get a warm weather fix while enjoying a fantastic meal or cocktails.  Here are five restaurant/bar patios in Boston worth checking out this summer:

Eastern Standard Entrance

European Flair at Eastern Standard

Located in the heart of Kenmore Square, Eastern Standard’s patio offers patrons a small slice of Europe in Boston.  Despite it’s location along busy Commonwealth Ave., the popular brasserie has cleverly designed their patio to minimize noise while offering guests chic tables for lounging and dining.  To round out the posh patio experience, enjoy one of the restaurant’s famed classic cocktails and sample fresh seafood from the raw bar.  528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.

Divine Sandwiches at Parish Cafe

Patio or no patio, the mouthwatering sandwiches plucked from Boston’s top chefs are incentive enough to frequent Parish Cafe on Boylston Street in the Back Bay.  In the summer months, their sizeable raised patio becomes a coveted, yet welcoming enclave for Bostonians looking to satisfy their Zuni Roll cravings.  With the kitchen serving until 1:00 a.m. daily, it’s also a great venue for a casual date, or late night eats. 361 Boylston Street, Boston.

SoWa Chic at Stella Restaurant

Guilty about leaving fido home while indulging in delicious Italian food like Parmesan Arancini, Spicy Mussels, or Tagliatelle Bolognese?  Stella’s streetside patio, or “terrazzino,” allows ample seating alongside Washington Street in the fashionable SoWa neighborhood, plus ample water and railing space for your pup.  With the local dog park nearby, guests can venture over after playtime for a relaxing dinner, late night nibbles, or Sunday brunch. 1525 Washington Street, Boston.

Get Out of Jail Free at The Liberty Hotel

Visitors won’t require a “pass” from the famed Monolopy game to enjoy the Liberty Hotel’s happening outdoor patio.  Just off Alibi on the hotel’s ground level, appropriately placed shrubbery separates an outdoor lounge sanctuary filled with cozy couches and tables away from bustling Cambridge Street.  If rubbing elbows with stylish Bostonians is your scene, be sure to arrive early on the weekend, as this see-and-be-seen spot fills up fast and there’s nothing chic about waiting in line.  215 Charles Street, Boston.

Flirty Fun at Tia’s on the Waterfront

Single and ready to mingle?  Make Tia’s on the Waterfront a regular fixture in your Thursday-Saturday evening adventures.  With its proximity to the Financial District, Faneuil Hall and the North End, bumping into attractive locals on the L-shaped patio becomes part of the fun at this hotspot, which attracts area professionals during the work week and a larger sample of Bostonians over the weekend.  200 Atlantic Avenue, Boston.

BOSTON, EVENTS, FASHION

May 15-16: SoWa Open Market Returns to the South End

SoWa Open Market by New England Open Markets From Flickr

It’s baaack!  The SoWa Open Market is kicking off its seventh annual “season” in  Boston’s South End on Saturday-Sunday, May 15 and 16.  This weekend, more than 140 vendors, including clothing and accessories designers, photographers, artists, local farmers and bakers will descend on 460 Harrison Street to sell their wares under bright white tents in an open air market setting.

In addition to the outdoor market, there’s also a specialty SoWa Vintage Market, located in the former brick warehouse behind the market.  After this weekend, both markets will be open every Sunday through October 30 – excluding Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day weekends.  The event is free to attend and there’s free parking available in the lot adjacent to the market.

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS

On the Town: The Beehive

The Beehive by Amanda K. from Yelp

With its eye-catching entrance reminiscent of a vintage theatre, funky bohemian decor and live jazz, walking into The Beehive instantly transports you into an eclectically hip party. Located inside the historic Cyclorama on Tremont Street in the South End, this multilevel venue caters to the dinner, drinks and weekend brunch crowd.

Unless you have a dinner reservation, try to visit The Beehive before 10:00 p.m. on a weekend evening, or you may find yourself stuck in line outside. Once inside, there is a smaller upper level bar, but I recommend traveling downstairs, a vast former boiler room which has been transformed into a boho chic space.

Beehive Julep by sushiesque from Flickr

Once settled downstairs at the bar, be sure to grab a drink menu before ordering. In addition to its hip atmosphere, The Beehive boasts an innovative drink menu, from six different champagne cocktails, to my personal favorite – The Beehive Julep (all $10.50/ea).

The Beehive is easy to locate at 541 Tremont Street in the South End alongside the Boston Center for the Arts (BCA).  Open seven days per week from 5:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m., check The Beehive’s website for special weekend brunch and afternoon hours by clicking here.